We did some research and saw that the $90 drug was very similar to another drug the same manufacturer had an expired patent on. So we asked about that, and she agreed to try putting the missus on the drug which had the expired patent -- which we could buy for about $10 per month in generic.

Good for you guys! The author mentioned that there are a lot of fine drugs available that are skipped over for the latest version of drugs that do the same thing. The reason why is big Parma make sure that doctors show a preference for the new stuff by giving them samples.

Other potential cheaper alternatives are drugs from Mexico/Canada that are not prescribed in the US. Before I got drug coverage, I used to go down to border towns in Mexico to fill my Rxs. However none of those pharmacies had a particular drug that I needed. So my doctor recommended a good substitute that was only sold outside of the US.

Yeah I am going to be forced into an HSA next year too. The author includes a list of cheaper alternatives for common drugs, so I'm hoping mine are on the list...